Ema Kurshumlija, a student from Kosovo, is one of the central voices in a major investigation published by The New York Times, which exposes serious abuses within the U.S. J-1 visa program. Promoted as an opportunity for cultural exchange and professional development, the program instead became a harsh and exploitative experience for Ema and many other international students.

Ema joined the J-1 program believing it would provide valuable professional experience in the United States. To participate, she paid approximately $2,000 in fees to licensed agencies and sponsors. According to her, the program was marketed as a career-building opportunity and a gateway to the “American Dream,” particularly attractive to students from countries with limited opportunities.

Upon arriving in the U.S., however, the reality was drastically different. Instead of the promised professional internship, Ema was assigned physically demanding jobs unrelated to her field of study. She reports working long and exhausting hours, sometimes up to 60 hours per week, often without proper training or workplace protections.

Ema says she felt trapped in a system where refusing the work or filing complaints meant risking her visa status and possible deportation back to Kosovo. Fear of losing legal status forced her to accept conditions that she believes no American worker would be expected to endure. Sponsors responsible for overseeing her placement were, according to her testimony, largely absent or unresponsive.

The New York Times investigation reveals that J-1 sponsoring organizations have generated millions of dollars by charging high fees to students, while providing minimal oversight of their actual working conditions. In several cases, executives received exceptionally high salaries, raising serious concerns about accountability and regulation.

Ema Kurshumlija’s case is not an isolated one. Students from around the world reported similar experiences, with some describing the system as “modern-day exploitation.” Her testimony, however, stands out as a powerful warning for students from Kosovo and the wider region about the hidden risks behind promises of the American Dream.